Signature-gatherer.



E. R. KAST.

SIGNATURE GATHERER. APPLIGATION FILED JULY 17, 1013.

Patented Dec. 16 1913.

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MQQMW I W- E. R. KAST.

SIGNATURE GATHERER.

APPLIOATION FILED JUL}! 17, 1913.

1,081,838. Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

E. R. KAST.

SIGNATURE GATHERER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, 1913.

Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

E. R. KAST.

SIGNATURE GATHERER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, 1913 Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

E. R. KAST.

SIGNATURE GATHBRER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, 1913.

Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

attMMMS EDWARD R. KAST, 0F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

SIGNATURE-GATHERER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 16, 1 913.

Application filed July 17, 1913. Serial No. 779,568.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Enwann R. liner, of Baltimore, Maryland, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Signature-Gatherers, which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

The present invention is an improvement in machines for assembling signatures, and particularly is an improvement in insetting machines.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicicnt device of the character described which does not embody signatureopening means employing suction.

In myapplication Serial No. 718,063, filed August 31, 1912, there is shown and described a very efficient device for opening signatures which does not employ suction,-

but the successful operation of the machine of this application requires that one of the folds or sheets of each signature to be operated on must be slightly longer than the other fold or sheet of each signature, in order that the longer fold or sheet may be gripped by suitable mechanism and separated from the other fold or sheet, thus opening the signature. By the device of my present invention, the signatures are expeditiously and effectively opened even though the folds or sheets are of the same size.

Briefly stated,the invention resides in providing means for removing or separating one edge of one of the folds or sheets of each signature from the other fold or sheet, so that the latter may be engaged and held by suitable mechanism which will carry it away from the first-mentioned fold or sheet, thus opening the signature which may then be deposited upon a suitable support. The mechanism .that I preferably employ for removing or separating one edgeof one sheetor fold from the other sheet or fold is any suitable form of buckling device.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which there is shown for the purpose of illustration one expression of the inventive idea, and wherein,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one end of an insetting machine, illustratino parts of two sections of the machine portions of the second section being bro-ken away; Fig. 2 is an end elevation, partlyin section, look ing to the right of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the signature-withdrawing mechanism, the signature-opening meehanism and the support on which the open signatures are deposited; Figs. 4, 5 anu (i are detail views showing different stages of the operation of part of the signature-opening means; Fig.7 is a detail perspective view showin one form of the sheet buckling mechanism; Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are detail perspective views.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, 15 indicates a pulley secured to one end of shaft 16 mounted in a frame 17 of the Machine, to which power is applied in any suitable manner as by belt 18. Keyed to shaft 16 is a pinion 19 which meshes with a gear 20 mounted on shaft 21 which also has keyed thereto a pinion 22 meshing with a gear 23 mounted on one end of shaft .24. ()n this shaft 24 is keyed a bevel gear 25, by which power is conveyed to the stitching and delivery mechanism (notshown) if such are employed. Shaft 24 also has keyed thereto a bevel gear 26 which meshes with a bevel gear 27 secured to the lower end of vertical shaft 28 from which the signature-withdrawing mechanism and the signatureopening mechanism is operated, as hereafter described. on the end of' shaft 24, opposite that on which gear 23 is mounted, is keyed a sprocket wheel 29 which drives conveyor chain 30 provided at suitable intervals with pins 31, said chain operating in as sociation with the signature support, here shown as an inverted V-shaped saddle 32, and acting to progress along said support the signatures deposited thereon. a

At the upper end of vertical shaft 28 there is secured a bevel gear 33 which meshes with a bevel gear 34 mounted on one end of shaft This shaft 35 extends throughout the machine and under the various signaturecontaining hoppers 36 which are mounted on the top of the machine frame. This shaft has mounted thereon any suitable mechanism for withdrawing the signatures from the hoppers 36, such mechanism for each hopper preferably consisting in part of suckers 37 mounted on a hollow rock shaft 38 which shaft is connected with a suitable source of suction, not shown. Mounted in the framework of the machine, immediately in front of the hoppers, is a rock shaft 39 bearing signature supporting fingers 40, which support the folded forward-edges of the signatures in the hopper when the'snckers are lowered. n the shaft 35 there are keyed a plurality of semi-cylindrical surfaces 41 (here shown as three under each hopper) each being provided with a suitable clamping surface against which the signatures are clamped by fingers 42, for withdrawing the signatures from the hoppers.

These semi-cylindrical surfaces revolve .in

the direction indicated by the arrow 43 in Fig. 3, and when the signature has been entirely withdrawn from the hopper and carried' tothe proper position it is automatically released by the withdrawing devices and advanced to the opening mecha nism. The preferred form of signaturewithdrawing mechanism is that shown in my application Serial No. 508,160, filed July 17, 1909, and as the specific construction.

thereof forms no part of the present invention it need not be more fully described manner to a rod 4:9, and affording, with belts 44, an extended surface on which the signature is supported while being carried to the signature-opening mechanism. One of said plates 4:8 has a lateral extension which supports the signature at the point the buckling mechanism acts thereon.

As the signatures are carried forward by belts 4A to the signature-opening devices,

and before the signatureopening devices operate thereon, they are preferably alined.

Any suitable mechanism for this purpose may be employedybut preferably 1 provide a plurality of fingers 51 secured at one end to a rod 52 mounted in the frame. of the ma. chineand provided at their free ends with stops 53, these stops being movable into and out of the path of the signatures by means of a bifurcated arm .54 one end of which is connected to a lever 55 (Fig. 9) keyed to rod '52, said bifurcated arm being provided with a roller 56 that is engaged by cam 57 mounted on shaft 45. While the signature 1s 1p engagement with the stops 53, the means for opening the signature come into operation.

In order to open each signature, I preferably employ, in association with each section of the machine, means for engaging and buckling the edge of one sheet or fold. Preferably, this buckling is effected while the signature isin a substantially horizontal position. as shown inFig. 3, and I preferably employ any suitable form of mechanism for performing this buckling action.

memes Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 7, 58 is a rod adjustably mounted in a bracket 59 secured to the frame of the machine, and on this rod 58 there is carried a nut 60 which in turn carries a rod 61 on which is adjustably mounted a-plate 62. On the front of this plate (see Fig. 1) there are secured two strips 63, forming guides or ways for a vertically adjustable carriage 64. The adjustment of this carriage is effected by means of a screw 65 passing through a nut 66 on said carriage and, through a fixed part of plate 62, the screw being operated by handle 67.

' Said carriage is provlded at its lower end with under-cut guides 68 and .69 in which guides a'slide 70 is reciprocated. Pivoted to said slide at 71 is a two-armed lever, one arm 72 carrying at its front end a buckling element, here shown in the form of a roller 73, and the other arm 74 being provided with a roller 75 which is engaged by a cam 76 keyed to the shaft 77 mounted in suitable bearings 78 on the carriage 64. Arm72 is suitably secured to the lower end of a rod 79 which carries a spring 80 and an adjustable collar 81 which engages one end of the spring. By means-0f this collar the tension of the spring may be varied. The other end of this spring-80 bears against-an arm 82 which-projects upward from the slide 70.

.To said arm 82 is suitably connected one end of a crank-arm 83, the other end of said crankarm being eccentrically pivoted to cam 76 at 7 6 whereby reciprocato-ry motion is imparted to the slide 7 0. v On shaft 77 there is mounted a second cam 84 which engages with a roller 85 mounted on one arm of alever pivoted to red 86, the other arm of said lever carrying a finger 87 which is normally pressed into engagement with the signature to be operated upon by a spring 88 carried by said rod 86. Shaft 77 is driven from shaft 35' (see Fig 3) by means of a worm gear 89 keyed to shaft 35 meshing with a worm gear 90, mounted on a stub shaft having bearlngs in a standard 91, a telescoping shaft -92 being connected to said gear 90 at one end by universal joint 93 and being connected at its other end to shaft 77 by universal joint 94:. The cams 7 G'and 84: are so timed that while the signature is signature, whereupon the buckling roller 73 will, under the influence of spring 80, move into engagement with said upper fold or sheet and by reason of the crank connection between the slide-70 and the cam 76, will move forward toward the pin 87, thus bucklingthe upper fold or sheet.

The separation of the sheets or folds by buckling enables the lower fold or sheet to be gripped by suitable -mechanism so that the signature may be completely opened, and this lower sheet or fold is preferably engaged by said gripping means While it is till contacting with stops 53. To insure that the buckled fold or sheet is completely withdrawn so it may not be engaged by the mechanism for gripping or seizing the lower fold or sheet, I preferably (though not necessarily) provide mechanism for further raising the free edge of said buckled fold or sheet. This mechanism for elevating the edge of the buckled fold or sheet preferably consists of one or more bent fin 'ers 95 (in Fig, 8 I have illustrated two) which are secured to a rod 96, mounted in bearings in the frame of the machine, said fingers 95 being preferably adjustable along said rod 96. On the end of this rod is secured a lever arm 97 to the free end of which is secured one end of a bifurcated arm 98 carrying a roller 99 (see Fig. 41) which engages a cam 100 mounted on shaft 45. This cam is shaped to oscillate fingers 95 at the proper time to engage the opened or buckled sheet ,or fold to elevate the edge thereof, as shown in Fig. 8.

As the buckled fold or sheet is elevated, the mechanism for engaging and holding the lower fold or sheet comes into play. Preferably, any suitable mechanism is employed that securely grips the edge of said lower fold or sheet, and after this has been effected the bent fingers 95 oscillate to the position shown in Fig. 5. \Vhereupon the stops 53 are elevated out of the path of the signature. Any suitable mechanism for on gaging and holding the lower fold or sheet may be employed, but I preferably employ the gripping mechanism illustrated in my application SerialNo. 718,063. Mounted on shaft 45, and rotating therewith, is a plurality of disks 101, three being here shown as associated with each hopper. Each of said disks is provided with a cutout portion 102, through which projects a rod 103 which has bearings in the pulleys on shaft 45 around which pass belts 44. One of these rods is provided for each hopper and mounted thereon is a gripping finger 104 for each disk 101, said fingers acting to clamp or grip the lower fold or sheet of each signature against the surfaces of the disks 101. The fingers 101 are caused to grip the signature by reason of the engagement of a slotted tumbler 105 (Fig. 8) mounted on one end of rod 103. with a pin 100 carried by .a bracket 107 suitably secured to the frauiework of the machine; and said fingers 104; are moved to release the signature at the proper time by the engagement of finger 108, also preferably secured to one end of rod 103, with a pin 109 secured to a bracket 110 on the machine frame. In order that the operation of these fingers, either to grip or release the signatures may be quick and positive, a spring 111 is secured at one end to an arm 112 provided on one end of rod 103, the

other end of said spring being secured to shaft 45. This spring is mounted centrally of arm 112 so that its power will be applied as soon as said arm is moved in one direction or the other. If I do not employ fingers 95 to elevate the edge of the upper sheet, a single gripping finger 104 is preferably em ployed, said finger gripping the lower sheet at the point where the upper sheet is buckled.

The signature afterbeing clam ed against disks 101 preferably travels unt er tension rollers 113 (Figs. 1 and (3) one of which engages each belt 4-1 as it passes around its corresponding pulley on shaft 15. As here shown each roller 113 is mounted on an arm 114 which in turn is carried by a stationary rod 115 mounted in the frame of the machine. This roller is preferably springpressed into engagement with the signature. There are also mounted on rod 115 a plurality of substantially vertical arms 116, preferably two, that act to prevent the signature after it passes from under tension rollers 113 from falling outward, that is to say, away from disks 101.

In order to insure that the signatures are deposited on'the support or saddle 32 with speed and accuracy, a supporting and guiding member may be provided for engaging the folder sheet which is not gripped by the fingers 10-1. supporting and guiding elements is associated with each hopper and preferably consists of a blade 117 which is elevated to engage and support said ungripped fold or sheet of the signature, and depressed to guide said fold or sheet into proper position over the saddle. The means for effecting this elevation and depression of said blade 117 consists of acam 118 (Fig. 10) mounted on shaft 45, which cam is in engagement with a roller 119 mounted on a bifurcated arm 120, one end of said arm being connected to one arm 121 of a bell-crank lever pivoted at 122 to a bracket 123 secured to the frame of the machine, the other arm .124 of said lever being suitably secured to the blade 117 so that, under the influence of cam 118, blade 117 is oscillated upwardly and downwardly. The blade 117 is elevated against the tension of a spring 125 secured at one end to arm 121 and at its other end to bracket 123, If these blades 117 are employed it is necessary to have each blade short enough so that the signature will be removed therefrom by the pins 31 carried by the conveyor 30, before said blade commences its upward oscillation to support and guide the next signature, and inasmuch as it is necessary to so support said signature that the front part thereof which projects beyond the blade will not collapse, said blade 117 is provided at or near its forward end with a laterally projecting finger 120 which acts to effectively support and guide .\s here shown, one of these I lower sheet.

the fold or sheet of the signature with which it is in engagement.

The operation ofthe device is as follows: Signatures having been placed in the several hoppers, the lowermost signature in each hopper is drawn downwardly by its corresponding suction mouth 37, so that the folded edge of the signature may be gripped between the semi-cylindrical surfaces 41 and their associated fingers 42. The rotation of said r embers 41 elfectsthe completewithdrawal of the signature from the hopper, and the signatures are deposited on belts 4A and are progressed toward the signatureopening mechanism, open edges foremost. J ust before the signatures are opened, the stops 53 are moved into the path of the signatures and alinethe same. At this time the finger 87 descends into engagement with that part of the'upper sheet of the signasheet of the signature, whereupon the fingers 95 swing backward into the position shown in Fig. 5, and stops 53 are then elevated outof the path of the signatures. The continued rotation of members 101 brings the signature to the position indicated in Fig. (3, at which time the supporting'and guiding blade 117 (it the same is employed) is elevated to engage the ungripped sheet of the signature, and to guide the same into position over the saddle 32. The signatures are simultaneously deposited onto saidsaddle 32 from the various hoppers 36, and are progrossed along said saddle by engagement therewith of pins 31 carried by conveyor 30, as usual, the signaturesbeing thusinset.

It is to be understood that my improved device will operate successfully not only on simple signatures, that is to say sheets folded only once, but also on signatures made up of sheets foldedmore than once, whether the folds are parallel or at right angles to one another. If the sheets have been folded more than once, the folds being at right angles to'one another, said signatures should be arranged in the hoppers so that when withdrawn the buckling device will operate on one corner of the upper sheet adjacent the tolded side edge of the signature, and if the sheets have been provided with a pluaneneae rality of parallel folds they should be so ar ranged that when withdrawn the buckling device will operate on the upper sheet adjacent the folded front edge of the signature.

For the purpose of clearness, one embodimentof the inventive idea has been herein described and illustrated in detail. It is apparent, however, that the invention is not restricted to the particular structuralembodiment which is illustrated and described, but that it is susceptible of embodiments conforming to the definition of the invention given in the claims which follow.

What is claimed is 1. Tu combination, a hopper for signatures, u'eans withdrawing signatures from. said hopper, means buckling one fold of eachsignature, means engaging and holding the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold and a support on which the opened signature is deposited.

2. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one told of each signature means engaging and holding the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, a support on which the opened signature is deposited, and means progressing the-signatures along said support;

3. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing-signatures from said hopper,means buckling one told of each signature, means engaging and elevating the free edge of the buckled jfold, means engaging and holding the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, and a support on which the opened signature is deposited.

4. In combination, a hopper for signav tures, 1: cans withdrawing signatures from .said hopper, means buckling one fold of each signature, means engaging and elevat ing the free edge of the buckled fold, means engaging and holding the other fold and separatingthe same from the buckled fold, a support on which the opened signature is deposited, and means progressing the signatures along said support.

5. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one fold of each signature, means engaging and holding the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, a support on which the opened signatures are deposited, and means guiding thebuckled fold over said support.

-(3. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from v said hopper, 11 cans buckling one told of each signature, means engaging and holding the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, a support on which the opened signatures are deposited, means guiding'the buckled fold over said support, and means prcgressing the signatures along said support.

71111 combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one fold of each signature, means engaging and holding the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, a support on which the opened signatures are deposited, and means sup porting and guiding the buckled fold over said support.

8. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one fold of each signature, means engaging and holding the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, a support on which the opened signatures are deposited, means supporting and guiding the buckled fold over said support, and means progressing the signatures along said support.

9. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one told of each signature, means gripping the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, and a support on which the opened signature is deposited.

10. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one told of each signature, means gripping the other fold and separating the same from the buckled told, a support on which the opened signature is deposited, and means progressing the signatures along said support.

11. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one told of each signature, means gripping the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, a support on which the opened signature is deposited, and means guiding the buckled fold over the support.

' 12. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one fold of each'signature, means gripping the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, a support on which the opened signature is deposited, and means supporting and guiding the buckled fold over the support.

13. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one fold of each signature, means engaging and elevating the free edge of the buckled fold, means gripping the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, and a support on which the opened signature is deposited.

14. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one fold of each signature, means engaging and elevating the free edge of the buckled told. means gripping the other told and separating the same from the buckled told. a support on which the opened .-:ignature is deposited, and means progressing the signatures along said support.

15. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing .--.'ignatures from said hopper, means buckling one told of each signature, means engaging and elevating the free edge of the bucklcd t'old. means gripping-the other told and separating the same from the buckled told. a support on which the opened signature is deposited, aml means guiding the buckled Fold over said support.

10. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing ;-:ignatures from said hopper, means buckling one told of each signature, means engaging and elevating the free edge ot the buckled fold. means gripping the other told and separating the same from the buckled told. a support on which the opened signature is dcpositcd, and means supporting and guiding the buckled fold over said sup 'iort.

17. In combination, a hopper tor signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one fold of each signature, means engaging and elevating the free edge 01 the buckled t'old. means gripping the other told and separating the same from the buckled told. a support on which the opened signature is deposited, means guiding the buckled 'lold orer said support, and means progressing the signatures along said support.

18. In combination, a hopper lor signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one told of each signature, means engaging and elevating the free edge of the buckled told. means gripping the other fold and StptlItltlllg the same from the buckled fold, a support on which the opened signature is deposited. means supporting and guiding the buckled fold over said support, and means progressing the signatures along said support.

19. In combination, a hopper for signa turcs, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one fold of each signature, pivoted means engaging the free edge of the buckled told, rotary gripping means engaging and holding the other fold and separating the same from the buckled fold, and a support on which the opened signatures are deposited.

20. In combination, a hopper for signatures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, means buckling one told of each signature. pivoted means engaging the free edge of the buckled fold, rotary gripbuckled fold, a support on which the opened signatures are deposited, means supporting and guiding the buckled signature over said support, and means progressing the signatures'along said support.

p 21. In combinatioma hopper for signatures, means Withdrawing signatures from said hopper, signature-opening mechanism comprising means for moving the top fold of each signature with respect to the under fold when the signature is in a substantially horizontal position, means for engaging and holding the under fold and separating the same from the upper fold, and a support on which the opened signatures are deposited.

22. In combination, a hopper for signa- Loenese tures, means withdrawing signatures from said hopper, signature opening mechanism comprising means for moving the top fold of each signature with respect to the under fold when the signature is in a substantially horizontal position, means for engaging and holding the under fold and separating the same from the upper fold, a support on which the opened signatures are deposited, and means pi'ogressing the signatures along said support.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' EDWARD lit. MAST. Witnesses:

Rona. H. Amis'mone, E. R. LIMAN. 

